2024-25 Season Auditions

About the Orchestra:

Nationally recognized for its musical quality, innovative programming, and unique model of community engagement, Longwood Symphony musicians are primarily healthcare professionals from Boston's leading hospitals and universities, including doctors, medical students, research scientists, nurses, therapists, and caregivers--many of whom pursued music studies before turning to medicine.  

The orchestra typically performs four masterworks concerts at New England Conservatory’s Jordan Hall and one summer concert.

Rehearsals take place near the Longwood Medical Area in Boston. Most rehearsals are Thursday evenings, but there are several Monday evening rehearsals throughout the season. Rehearsals are 7:00-9:30 pm. 

Available Positions:  

Successful applicants will begin as membership-track substitutes, and will be provided playing opportunities after full members. Membership-track substitutes may be offered full membership after at least one season of participation.

Auditions are open to musicians of all professional backgrounds. Musically qualified members of the biomedical community may be given preference when competing with a non-medical musician of comparable musical abilities for a position on the substitute list.

Auditions are open to all instruments; however at this time we have specific vacancies for the following instruments:

  • Bassoon

  • Trombone

  • Tuba

  • Violin

  • Viola

  • Bass

  • Harp

  • Piano

Audition Requirements:

Auditions consist of two contrasting selections (usually concerto/sonata/solo movement) that you feel best display your level of technical and musical skill. It is acceptable to substitute orchestral excerpts for one of your selections if you prefer. Auditions do not include sight-reading, scales, or arpeggios. The auditions are unaccompanied.

A typical audition will last approximately 8-10 minutes. 

Audition Dates and Format:

Auditions will occur in-person or virtually this year. In-person auditions are preferred, but virtual auditions will be given equal consideration.

Auditions will occur on two dates (August 22nd and 24th) at two different locations: 

The Thursday, August 22nd audition will be from 6:00 - 10:00 pm and will be held at United Parish Brookline (210 Harvard St, Brookline MA, 02446).

The Saturday, August 24th  audition will be from 9:00 AM - 3 PM and will be held at the Nathaniel Topliff Allen Homestead (35 Webster St, Newton MA 02465).

How to Audition:

To register for an audition, please send an email to auditions@longwoodsymphony.org with the following information: 

  • Your name 

  • Your instrument

  • Your biomedical affiliation, if any

  • A resume of your musical experiences or brief description of your musical background.

  • If auditioning in person, please list your preferred audition date and time

  • If auditioning virtually, please attach your audition videos. You may also post the videos to YouTube as unlisted videos, and include the links in the email. Please submit a video that was recorded within the past six months.

Preference will be given to audition registrations received by August 17th, 2024. Musicians will be notified of their audition results by early-September. 

Please contact Caleb Walker, LSO Operations Manager, with any questions at auditions@longwoodsymphony.org or review the Audition FAQ page here: